G'day!

Thank you so much for being here.

We're now at the end of summer in South Australia and as of 1st March it will officially be autumn. In Adelaide, this time of the year is known as "Mad March". Our little city explodes with festivals, including Adelaide Writers' Week. I'm not sure if I'll be able to attend this year as life has forced me to slow down with a toddler and another one on the way. Yes, that's right, I'm pregnant! We're very excited. This new season has also brought a bit of a shift in my writing, but more on that in a moment. For now, I'd like to share a verse that has been on my heart this week as I'm pottering my way into a brand new project with a renewed sense of creative freedom...

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

2 Corinthians 3:17 (NKJV)

Writing Update

A couple of months ago, a new story idea seized my attention in the middle of the night. By the following morning I had found and purchased the perfect research book all about female convict life in "Van Diemen's Land", now known as present day Tasmania. The subject had me so fascinated that as I began reading this book, I simultaneously started writing my own fictional story of a brazen heroine on the streets of London named Agnes Archibald who inevitably is transported to Australia for theft, but not before falling in love with the well-to-do Henry Watson. It's a fast-paced epic adventure filled with romance and God moments. Think Jane Austen meets Outback Australia. The first draft is now complete, so I'll be working on edits in the coming months to prepare for its release! So make sure you keep a look out for my next book Lost in Wonder.

In other writing news, I have discovered that with all the pregnancy symptoms going on, I REALLY need the relief of a lighter project. God-willing, it may even be something I can slowly keep working on through those newborn months to keep my finger in writing. All I can say for now is it's an Aussie rom-com and A LOT of fun!

Speaking of all things Aussie...

Aussie Fact - The Bilby (& Haigh's Chocolates)

I was recently asked in an interview what my writing mascot would be and after a little too much deliberation on the subject, I chose a native marsupial called the bilby. You see, bilbies have incredible hearing with their long ears, and it reminded me how when I'm writing I need to be "ever listening" to the Holy Spirit. Not only that, but along with other native marsupials, the bilby naturally has this sort of gift called biofluorescence, which means that under UV light, these mammals actually glow in the dark. They aren't the source of light, of course, but they do reflect the light, like the moon reflects the sun's light to earth, and like we are called to reflect the light of Jesus to this world. I became so inspired by this cute little creature that I set out to find a fluffy version. It just so happens, the only store that sells plush bilbies is Haigh's Chocolates, Australia's oldest family-owned chocolate maker making fine chocolates from the cocoa bean since 1915. It was a sacrifice I was willing to make to visit this divine store and find a little bilby for my desk. I have named him Balaam Bilby. It may be a strange choice in name but it reminds me of the importance of listening to God. Because after Balaam hadn't listened in the biblical narrative, he finally came to the point where he said, "But I can't say whatever I please. I must speak only what God puts in my mouth." (Numbers 2:38)

Your Gift

If you missed my previous newsletter, I wrote a novelette just for my subscribers. It's a prequel to the novel I'm working on. I hope you enjoy it!

Follow the link to download your copy of A Desert Rose

Also, if you're curious about my latest release Azure Blaze, you can read chapter one HERE

Love & Prayers,

Elizabeth x

P.S. Don't forget to connect with me on Instagram and Facebook or visit theworshipdesk.com

P.P.S. Here's my latest blog post The 'shoulds' we don't need

P.P.P.S. In an effort not to overload inboxes, I only send newsletters every second month. So, I'll chat to you in April!

In the spirit of reconciliation, I acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. I pay my respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.